Parents In The Know

Getting ready for college can be a stressful time for students and parents. Parents can help their child prepare for college by checking out the information below. Scroll down through the parent support information or choose from the list below and click on the subject you would like to view.

For a month-by-month high school senior calendar and checklist click on the "HS Senior Pre-FLC Calendar and Checklist" listed in the left menu bar!

Tips for Supporting Your Student:It is important to attend financial aid presentations, parent day and college/career functions with your student--these events take place throughout the year. Many of these events will be held in the evenings and on weekends. If you don't know when they're scheduled, checkout your son or daughter's school website or contact the school by phone. (Attend these events even if you did so last year or with a different student - there is new information all the time!)

Regular visits to your student's high school website will keep you aware of upcoming college prep events for both you and your student at their high school. You can also follow our "HS Senior Pre FLC Checklist," a month-by-month checklist for high school seniors planning to attend FLC (the checklist is listed in the left menu bar).

Encourage your student to research and plan for all pre-college steps: financial aid application submission, FLC application submission, assessment testing, new student orientation, counseling and course registration. Deadlines and details for these steps are available on our website.

In November, register for a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) PIN so you can assist your student with financial aid forms in January. Check out your student's school website for financial aid workshops.

In January or February, you can help your student complete the FAFSA application. Having obtained your PIN ahead of time will help speed up the process.

In February/March encourage your student to complete the FLC application. (Some high schools offer FLC application workshops on-site. Have your student check with his/her career center or counselor to find out and sign up.)

Also in February, help your student plan for FLC assessment testing. (Assessment is an evaluation of student's language and computational skills and is used to assist students in the selection of courses needed to achieve their educational goals. Based on test results and other pertinent information, recommendations will be made for classes best suited to a student's skill level.) Click here to access our Assessment information page. Your student will need an FLC Student Identification Number and a photo ID to take our assessment tests. The FLC Student ID number will be given to your student once they have completed and submitted an FLC application.

Encourage your student to complete the online orientation. Orientations provide new students with information about the programs and services that Folsom Lake College has to offer and helpful tips to increase their college success. For more information about orientation, visit the website by clicking here.

Request an FLC campus tour with your student by clicking on "Tour Folsom Lake College" in the left menu bar. A visit to one of our campuses is invaluable for connecting with our programs, services and staff.

Paying for College:Worried that you won't have enough money to pay for your student to go to college? Most people overestimate the true costs of attending college. With all the available financial aid, including tax benefits for education, postsecondary education is a realistic goal for everyone.

It is important to attend financial aid presentations WITH your student--these events take place throughout the year. Many of these events will be held in the evenings and on weekends. If you don't know when they're scheduled, checkout your son or daughters school website or contact the school. (Attend these events even if you did so last year or with a different student - there is new information all the time!)

In January or February, you will need to help your student complete the FAFSA (you can apply online at www.fafsa.gov). It is important to attend financial aid presentations with your student--these events take place throughout the year. Many of these events will be held in the evenings and on weekends. If you don't know when they're scheduled, check out your son or daughters school website or contact the school. (Attend these events even if you did so last year or with a different student - there is new information all the time!) .

Check out all your options for financial aid (from scholarships, grants, loans and even family resources) to ease the burden of paying for college. Depending on your family situation, financial need and your child's performance in high school, you may be able to cover a significant portion of the costs. FLC Financial Aid Officers can help you. Click here for FLC Financial Aid Information.

Look into what other options are available besides financial aid. Don't assume your studentwill handle it themselves because in the end, when registration fees are due or classes needto be chosen, they may need your help.

Encourage your student to use their high school on-campus and FLC Student Services resources while planning their college career.

Questions Frequently Asked by Parents:How do I know if my student's fees are paid in full?Your student can look up their current schedule on eServices and it will show the amount dueat the bottom of the screen. It will show the outstanding balance or a zero balance if enrollmentis paid.Does my student have to pay fees all at once?At FLC payment for enrollment fees is due when you register for classes. Please read Important Fee Payment Information. If your student's financial aid award is not enough to cover enrollment fees or is not in place by the registration date, you must still pay by the due date to avoid being dropped from class.How do I pay for my student's education?To find out more about how to apply for financial aid and scholarships click here. It is also recommended that your student check eligibility for the Board of Governors (BOGW) fee waiver. This waiver pays for all your student's enrollment fees for the school year. Contact the FLC Financial Aid Office for questions.

What is the deadline to apply for financial aid?The priority filing period for Cal Gant (www.csac.ca.gov) and FAFSA (www.fafsa.gov) isJanuary 1st-March 2nd. You are encouraged to apply for financial aid even after the priorityfiling date of March 2nd. Your application will be considered late and will be processed afterall priority applicants. JUST APPLY!

Why do I have to give my income information when my student applies for financial aid?Congress has determined that parents are responsible for providing for their children'seducational expenses until they achieve independent status. In general, to be classified asan independent student a person must fit into one of the following categories:• 24 years of age• Married• Have own dependents• Be a veteran of the military• Working on a master's degree• Have extreme extenuating circumstances.If a student cannot fit into one of these categories, then the parent is required to provideinformation on the FAFSA form to determine financial aid eligibility.

Why is FLC unable to tell me anything about my student's grades or how well they're doing in school?According to federal law, college students have the right to the privacy of all their educationrecords including grades, financial information, and disciplinary records. It is the responsibilityof the student to communicate with the parent and tell them how things are going. The easiest and fastest way to obtain information about your student's grades or records is for the student to provide it for you. Students can look up information by logging into eServices online.

Student privacy is protected by FERPA: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. FERPA is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Click on this link to learn more about FERPA.

Are the courses transferable?Our transfer courses are designed in cooperation with California's 4-year universities. Ifyour student follows and completes a pre-approved education plan, developed with the assistance of an FLC counselor, he or she is in a position to transfer, as a junior, to UC Davis, CSUS, and many other universities! To find out more information about our transfer process and the TAG agreements, visit this link.

What is the difference between a degree program and a certificate program?Certificate and degree programs are designed to provide students with an organized course of study in a particular field. Certificate Programs focus on one particular field or vocation and can often be completed in less time than a degree program. Certificate programs can be especially helpful for working professionals by providing them with advanced career-related knowledge or serving as means of continuing education in a field or discipline. Degree Programs, unlike certificate programs, require students to complete a specific number of general education courses to provide a broad, liberal arts education designed to benefit graduates in many career pursuits. Degree programs also focus on a student's chosen field of study in preparation for their career, or as preparation for transfer into a 4 year program of study.

Helpful Websites:Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Start the financial aid process now by completing your FAFSA online. This site also offers how-to help and access in case you want to make changes, check status, etc. www.fafsa.gov.

FastWeb The Internet's largest free scholarship search. It uses a personalized profile to match your child's specific skills, abilities and interests to a database of more than 275,000 scholarships. Includes a free mailbox for updated information. More than 30,000 students access this site daily. www.fastweb.com